TNAG-0852-FCO40-1062-Visits-of-Royal-Navy-ships-to-Hong-Kong-and-China-1979 — Page 4

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference

a

.....

Mr Watkins

Defence Dept E320

144

பு/

RL.EIVED IN REGÁLY NO. 31 2 6 NOV 1979

INDE

No

NAVAL VISITS TO CHINA AND THE SOVIET UNION

RIMR 26/4

Agrion Time

Sea (30

2

1. As you know we have had second thoughts in this Department about the suggestion that the whole Task Group should go to China. Mr McLaren discussed this last week with Mr Mallaby who said he would wish to see any submission in draft. I now attach a redraft of Mr Fursland's draft circulated with his minute of 18 October.

2. I am conscious that the MOD are pressing for a response. You may wish to warn them (after checking that EESD agree) about the terms of the submission.

CODE 18-77

SS 8/78

22 November 1979

cc:

Mr Johnson,/EESD, W402A Mr Quantfil, HKGD, K247 Mr Palmer, TRED, G1A/1

HL Davies

Far Eastern Department K 258 233 5963

J 26.11

NW illimaty

р

2274